quote:By then the Big Ten will have at least 14 schools, assuming Rutgers can trim the Big East's 27-month notification for departure. Some sources within the Big Ten believe the conference won't stop expanding until it hits 18.

With 14, the conference can start over on divisions and chuck "Legends and Leaders" into the hopper with new Coke and Segways. An East-West divide would be a celebrated departure from those cumbersome monikers.

re: Chicago Tribune: Sources within Big 10 say they might want to expand to 18 teams(Posted by Ray Penpillage on 1/7/13 at 11:39 am to reddman)

The WAC failed because the schools couldn't afford to pay for travel for Olympic sports with the vast geographical spread of the conference. Neither money nor geography will be a problem for Big10 schools.

re: Chicago Tribune: Sources within Big 10 say they might want to expand to 18 teams(Posted by usc6158 on 1/7/13 at 11:44 am to Quidam65)

quote:They're probably trying to get all the ACC schools (minus Pitt) that are in the AAU. GT, UVA, UNC, and Duke are the four such schools.

For what purpose? I understand taking Maryland and Rutgers to be able to get into the eastern coast, but at a certain point, you're watering down your revenue. Not sure how scale is really helping them in this case.

re: Chicago Tribune: Sources within Big 10 say they might want to expand to 18 teams(Posted by RedHawk on 1/7/13 at 11:47 am to usc6158)

Always thought that four 16 team conferences wouldn't work because there are still teams out there that are good enough to warrant belonging in one of these super conferences. Now four 18 or 20 team conferences could work.

re: Chicago Tribune: Sources within Big 10 say they might want to expand to 18 teams(Posted by Quidam65 on 1/7/13 at 11:52 am to usc6158)

quote:For what purpose?

More revenue for Big Ten Network at least in theory. If you can command more $/subscriber by having a member school in a territory, you try to add a member there that brings something more than mere physical presence.

re: Chicago Tribune: Sources within Big 10 say they might want to expand to 18 teams(Posted by molsusports on 1/7/13 at 12:05 pm to Quidam65)

quote:For what purpose?

More revenue for Big Ten Network at least in theory. If you can command more $/subscriber by having a member school in a territory, you try to add a member there that brings something more than mere physical presence.

yeah, sounds like new markets are driving expansion

if they want four more then how about:

north carolina virginia georgia tech

fourth is harder but if Notre Dame refuses they may take a Duke, Kansas type school